Education update and positive destinations for our school leavers

5th June 2025

The Highland Council, Education Committee met today (Wednesday 4 June 2025) and received a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the Education and Learning Service. It included positive school leaver destinations and an update on the refreshed attainment strategy and the Education and Learning management restructure.

Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "The set of reports presented to us today, show positive steps in the educational journey of all our learners across Highland and the positive contribution they will bring as part of our ‘Workforce for the Future' ambitions.

“The last few months has been as is always expected at this time of year, challenging for our senior phase learners as they have prepared for and taken their SQA exams, finalised apprenticeships and completed portfolios and module-based learning. I commend the pupils and staff for all their efforts and hope that as we draw near to the school summer holidays, pupils take some down time to reflect on what they do next in terms of learning, life and work.

“It is encouraging to see the positive destination statistics for our school leavers be that in employment, education, or training, which have produced the most positive figures we have seen in the last 5 years with 96.5% of 2,692 pupils achieving sustained destinations on leaving school."

Cllr Finlayson added: “A refreshed attainment strategy with input from central officers, headteachers, and unions has positively progressed since our February Education Committee, and its strategic focus and workstreams will be discussed at our head teachers conference.

“At Committee today, we also received an update on the Education and Learning management restructure, a new area-based model with 8 operational areas. The changes deliver a simplified and streamlined structure, providing clear lines of responsibility and accountability.

“Improving outcomes for all our Highland learners remains a key priority and all of today’s reports outline the continued vision and commitment of The Highland Council’s Education and Learning Service and that of our partner services to move positively forward on our journey to excellence.”